Universal panoramic tripod head



Jan. 17, 1933. o,v U, ZERK' 1,894,456

UNIVERSAL PANORAMIC TRIPOD HEAD Filed Sept. 19. 1927 15 Sheets-Sheet l lllllll I lllllllnllllll l l llll 1 A nllllllllllllllllllllllilh lJam. 17, 1933. 0, U, ZERK 1,894,456

UNIVERSAL PANORAMC TRIPOD HEAD 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 19. 1927 LW/ www/ Jan. 17, 1933. 0, U, ZERK 1,894,456

UNIVERSAL PANORAMIG TRIBOD HEAD Filed Sept. 19. 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 lmmlilll-llll HHIIIIIIIIIHHI! In yum Jan. 17, 1933. o. U. zERK v UNIVERSAL PANORAMIG TRIPOD HEAD Filed sept. 19. v1927 5 sheets-sheet 4 Jan. 17, 1933. o, u, ZERK 1,894,456

UNIVERSAL PANORAMIC 4TRIPOD HEAD Filed Sept. 19. 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Jan. 17, 1933 Price' OSCAR Ul ZERK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS UNIVERSAL PANORAMC TRIPOD HEAD Y Applicationiiled September 19, 1927; Serial No. 220,494.

My invention relates generally to apparatus for universally supporting' cameras and other instruments, and more particularly to specific forms of tripod heads.

5 In motion'picture photography it is frequently necessary or desirable togtocus the camera upon a horizontally or vertically moving oloject7 or to take a panoramic view of an object, all of which would not appear Within the `Field et the camera if held stationary. My invention contemplates the provision of improved means for mounting a camera so that such panoramic views may he photor graphed.v The tripod head of my invention is particularly adapted for use With small amateur motion picture cameras Yhut may, with suitable changes, be adapted for use With professional motion picture cameras and other instruments s uch as range iinders, etc.

For convenience, the horizontal or transversing rotation of the camera will be re- Y ferred to as the pan and thevertical or elevational rotation thereof will be referred to as the tilt. In the pan and tilt7 of the camera it is sometimes desirable to have means to steady the motion of the camera so as to prevent the reproduction of the vieW being taken from appearingY jerky and uneven. l'n one modiication of my invention l have providedv means for accomplishing this result.

Among the objects of my invention are: First, to provide a universally movable support for aV camera which is simple in construction, may he easily operated, is light in Weight, and in which the parts are so conformed as to lit rigidly together with sub'- stantially no play; f ilo Second, to provide improved means for exerting the frictional force tending to retard rotation ct the camera support about vertical and horizontal axes;

Third, to provide improved means for lock- 15 ing the support against rotation about a vertical axis;

Fourth, to provide improved means for preventing` the rotation of the camera supl port about a horizontal Vaxis; 53 Fifth, to provide improved means for securing the horizontal tapered pin in a diametrical bore. of the vertical tapered pin;

Sixth, to provide an improved universal camerasupport in Which means are provided to steady the rotative movement of the camera, and to provide manipulative devices for rendering said means inoperative. i

Other objects Will appear fromthe following description, .reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation of my improved tripod head;

Figure 2 is a central vertical-crossssection thereof taken on the line 2 2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical cross section of the means usedl to 'secure the tapered pins together, taken on a line 3 3 of Figure 2,'

Figure 3a is a transverse sectional view taken on the line Saa of Figure 3;

Figure 4 is a plan vieW of said securing means; l

Figure 5 is a plan vieW of the tilt socket;

Figure 6 is a side elevation of amoditedv form or' head structure;

Figure 7 is a central vertical cross section thereof taken on the line 7-7 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a side elevation of a second modiiied form of head in which means are included to steadyv the camera in taking pan orftiltV views;

Figure 9 is a central vertical section there'- of taken on the line9-9 of Figure 8; and

Figure 10 is an enlarged central vertical section of the clutch mechanism used in connecting and disconnecting the Vsteadying mechanism, in operated position.

Figure 11 is a side elevation of the tilt pivot heads shown in Figs. 1 and Referring to .Figures 1 to 5, the form of head structure thereby illustrated comprises a plate 14 to which the tripod legs 16 are pivotally connected at hinge lugs 17. The plate 14 has a central concavity With a spherical surface 18 which forms a seat for the ball 20. A clamping ring 22 has a surface to conform With the shape of the to be drawn towards the' head plate by a lianged nut 24. The ring 22 has a pair of lugs 26fWhich depend into complementary pin used' in the and Figure 12 an end l balli 20 and is adapted clamped against the ball by turning down the nut 2 4. The nut has depending flange 30 which fits over and protects the hinge construction from damage by blows and to a certain extent prevents dirt from getting into the hinge bearings.

' to receive a kerfed nut 40.

4 rlhe nut has a plurality of radially drilled holes 32 into which the end of a rod or operating handle, as will later be described, may be inserted so as to obtain greater leverage in manipulating the nut. The ball 20 has a tapered bore 84 which is adapted to receive a complementally tapered post or pin 36. The lower end of the latter has a key slot 38 eut therein and is threaded A hardened steel washer 42 has` a key projection tting into the key slot 38 and is thus held against rotation relative to the tapered pin 86. A heavy spring lock washer 44 is interposed between theflat washer 42 and the nut 40. The tapered pin 36 is thus rotatable within the ball 20 but its free rotation is slightly retarded by the friction resultant from thel pressure of the lock washer in drawing the pin into the Vtapered bore of the ball. f The pin 36 preferably has a plurality of shallow relatively wide Igrooves 87 cut longitudinally of its tapered portion. The sharp edges of these grooves scrape the tapered bore of the ball 20 and free the surface of the thin layer of aluminum oxide which tends to form, while the groovespermit the scraped oxide or oth-er foreign material to fall from the bearing. v Y j Additional means are provided for increasing the pressure between the pin 36 and the ball 20. rlhis means comprises a large internally threaded plate 46 which is screwed over a threaded. boss 48 formed at the top of ball 20. A pin 50, passing diametrically through the tapered pin 86. has a tight fit therein, a hole 51 being provided in the plate 46 so that access thereto may be had for its removal. A hardened steel washer 52 rests upon the pin 50 and provides a surface for reducing friction as the plate n 46 is turned relative to the tapered pin 36.

By screwing down the plate 46 over the boss 48, the pin 36 .will be firmly clamped in the tapered bore 84 of the ball 20. A small spirit level 54 is screwed into the top of the plate 46 and serves as a means for indicating when the tapered pin 36 is exactly vertical. The upper end ofthe tapered pin 86 (Figures 3 and 'is enlarged and has its'V sides flattened as at 56, and is transversely drilled at 58 to receive the horizontal tapered pintle 60. A cap screw 62 passes freely through the pintle 60 and is threaded in the tapered pin 36 at 64. Awasher 66 shaped to conform to the cylindrical surface of the pintle 60 is firmly V'l' 0 is cut in the bore 58,

,retained with its tapered pressed against the pintle by a heavy lock washer 68.

It will be noted that a wide shallow groove rllhis groove is provided for the purpose of distributing the Apressure exerted between the pintle 60 and.

the pin 36 and prevents tie possibility ofi any shaking or rocking of the pintle 60 relative to the pin3'6, since th-e pintle isclamped between the washer 66 and the portions of the bore 58 adjacent the groove 70 so that the force exerted by the lock washer extends vertically downward in a line lying between the two bearing surfaces adjacent the groove 70. The horizontal pintle is preferably made hollow for lightness, the end of the bore 72 being closed by aplug 74, and has a plurality of grooves 61 cut in its tapered bearing surfaces. These grooves are similar to thegrooves 37 inthe pin 86 and serve a similarpurpose. Y n, j

The pintle 60 has two similarly tapered portions 76 and 7 8 which serve as bearing surfaces for the tilt socketv member j 80. rlfhis member 'has upwardlyY extending-side portions 82 upon which a camera pla-te 84 is secured by screws 86. A camera attaching screw 88 having an enlarged hollow head v89 is guided for free rotation within this plate and has its head supported upon ledges 90. This head portionv89of the screw 88 has'a plurality of radially drilled holes 92 adapted to receive the endof an operatingrhandle'or a rod whereby additional leverage may be had to secure the 4camera against the plate 84. The tilt socket member is normally bores inV frictional contact with the tapered surfaces 76 and 7 8 of the pintle 60 by a spring disc washer 94 positioned within a recess 96 formed in the tilt socket member 80. rlhe washer 94 presses against plate 98 which hand end (Figure 2) of the pintle 60 by a screw 100 and thus at all times tends to move the tilt socket member 80 to the right, thereby automatically taking upv any play which may be present between these parts. Rotation of the spring washer isprevented, it having a key projection 95, fitting in a key slot 97 in the pintle. 'Y

l have also provided means for locking the tilt socket member in adjusted position. This means comprises a handle 102jhaving an end piece 104 pressed therein. This end piece is threaded at 106 into the socket member 80 and has a tapered portion 108 which is adapted to contact with the frusto-conical surface 110 of an annular groove 112 formed in the pintle 60. The end piece 104 of the `handle also has a cylindrical .extension 114 is secured to the left the tapered pin 36. to the 'the handle 102.

striated-portion 120 which the'handle Vbe convenientlyv manipulated. VVhen-the handle is rotated clockwise (Figure 2)v the hanf dle being in the position shown in F igure 1, the frusto-.conical portion 108 will tend to torce the tilt7 socket member'SO to the right with respect to the pintle 60, thus more firmly wedging these parts together. With a very small turning' moment lthe parts may be so iirmly clamp/ed that a huge force would be required to rotate the socket member 8.0 about the pintle 60. A groove 101 is cut horizonf tally and diametrically through the side sur-l face of the memberand end surface of pintle 60. This groove serves as a convenient means for indicating when the camera is level.

In the use of this head the camera is first attached to the head by turning the screw 88 into the threaded socket customarily found in the camera and after the plate 14 has been approximately leveled by adjustment of the positions of the legs 14, the nut 24 is unscrewed so as to release the bal-l 20for tree universal movement relative to the weight. By observing the indications of the spirit level 54 the tapered pin 36 may be. brought into exact vertical position and then clamped by turning down the nut 24. y

It it is desired to have the camerauniver, sally movable the plate 46 is unscrewed so that the pin 36 may be rotated relative to the ball 20, such rotation being retarded only by the friction between the parts resultant from the pressure exerted by the loclr washer 44. The handle 102 is then rotated counter-clockwise (Figure 2) so that the tilt socketmeinber 80 is freely rotatable relative to the pintlc 60, there being only a slight frictional drag due to the friction between the tapered bearing surfaces resultant from the pressure exerted by the disc washer 94.V

If it is desired to take a tilt View, the plate 46 is screwed down, thereby clamping ball.V The camera may then be swung` about the pintle 6,0, using The handle is suiliciently long so that the operator is .able to move the camera fairly steadil It it is desired to take a panv view the handle 102 is turned clockwise (Figure 2') so as to frictionally lock the socket member 80 on the pintle 60 inthe desired position rela-V tive thereto, and the plate 4,6 screwed up so as to permit the tapered pin 3.6 to rotate with respect to the ball 20. Again using the handle 102 as an operating lever, the camera may be rotated about the vertical axis of the tarIlhe device above; described a universal mounting for a ment, 1n which there pered pin 36. thusk serves as camera, or other instru Y is a minimum of play and which can readily be adjusted for taking pan7 or tilt views. In the modi'lication s hown in Figures 6, and 7 I have provided a structure similar to that V@lmp es tapered pin ee previously deeeribed but which may be more eeonomieally manu-feetured Clue to greet simp-li'city in its construction. Most of the parts of .this vdevice are exactly similar to those ofthe heed previously des'eribed,witl1 theesoeption that the parte ere mede Smaller an vertical able bell-I here rotetebly directly in the head plate. describe the parts of this structure which differ from those previously described. I

mounted vthis pin have designated parts which are similarto those shown in vFigures 1 to 5 by the same reterencecharacters. In some instances these resemblance in shape and function that this manner of .designation will, I believe, not lead to Confusion- Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the head plate 122 which has the hinge lugs 17 torrned integrally therewith, has a vertically tapered bore 124 which is adapted to receive the tepered vpin 36-v The Plate 122 hes en upwardly extending boss 126 which lis exten partsV are not' identical but bear such close that ieeteed' of rotete-bly mounting the tapered pin in a universally adjust- I will proceed to f nally threaded to receive the internally threaded oep out 12.8- Thie mit is adapted, to to the head plate through pressure exerted upon the eroes pin 50 by a hardened steel washer `52. 'I he head 130 of the camera attaching screw 88 does not have the radially drilled holes which are present in the head ofthe screw previously described but merely has its outer cylindrical portion knurled as best shown in Figure 6. so that it may be .conveniently manipulated when attaching and detaching the camera to the head. In other respects the construction is similar to that previously described.

The use of thisv head is the same as that previously described with the exception that greater care must be observed in leveling the head 122 by properly positioning the tripod legs 16, since no other means are provided for leveling. The head is capableof use in taking pan and tilt clamped so as to take stationary views in a manner similar to that above described ywith reference to the construction shown in Figures 1 to 5.

In Figures `8, 9 and 10 I have vshown a modiiied construction the principles of the devices .previously described but which, in addition, provides means for steadying the movement of the camera when taking pan and tilt views. The head comprises a plate 14 pivotally carried by tripod legs 16, in which a ball 132 is universally mounted in the same manner as described with reference to Figure 2. The

ball 132 has a tapered bore l134 which is* adapted to receive the tapered end portion views and may be Y which utilizes most of hardened steel washer 142 andla lock washer 144 being interposed between the nut 140 and a shoulder 146 formed by a recess in theball 132. rllhe upper portion ofthe post is axially bored and' has ai hardened tubular bearing plug 148 pressed therein so asto be substantially integral therewith. A casing` 150 hav.-

Aing a cover-portion 152'securedthereto by screws 153 is rotatably mounted on thepost 138 bearing thereon at points 154 and 156. The cover vportion 152 is formed integrally with an upwardly projecting member 158 which is transversely bored t'o Vreceive a tapered pintle 160. y1he pintle has tapered bearing surfaces 162 and 164 for a tilt socket member 166 which has an upwardly extending yoke portion to which the camera supporting plate 168 isattached yby suitable screws (not shown). A camera attaching screw 88, having an enlarged hollow head portion 89 is mounted therein in a manner similar to that previously described with reference to the 'structure shown in Figure 2. By analogy to the structure shown in Fig ures 1 to 5 inclusive it will be apparent that the tilt socket member y166may be rotated aboutV the tapered pintle 160 and that the member 158 which is formedV integrally with the casing cover 152 may be rotated about the post 138.` Vln the latter rotativemove'ment the casing cover 152 bears downwardly upon the plug member 148 through the medium of a downwardly flanged hardened disc 17 0 which contacts with the beveled end surface 172 oi 4 the plug 148. Y Y

The pintle 160 is Asecured vto the member' 158 by a cap screw 174 which is threadedV in the pintle and has a lock washer 176 located in a recess Jormed at the top ot the member 158, the washer serving as a means to hold the pintle 160 in 'firm engagement with the bore of the member 158. lt will vbe noted that said bore has a shallow groove 17 8 at the upper portion thereoi2 so that as the screw is drawn'tight, the member 166 bears upon the surface of the pintle 160 at the sides oit the groove 17 8, with the result that two separate lines of contact are assured to make thek connection between these parts perfectly rigid. o j rlhe upper end of the post r138 has an outwardly and downwardly projecting flange 180 tace for (Figure )V which tapers inwardly at a small angle to provide a truste-conical friction surthecomplementally tapered bore oi'i a vsun gear 182. rlhe sungear is held or floats loosely in contact or substantially in contact with the flange 180 by a tubular cage 184 which'at its lower end has an ontwardlyv eirtending horizontal ange 186 which lits into a groove 188 formed at the lower inner edge 1oi' the sun gear, and has an inwardly extending horizontal flange 190. Agilat washer 192 rests upon this inwardly projecting 'lian ge 190 and serves as aseat for a relatively strong compressionspring 194, the other end of which abuts against a washer 196 which is'confined within the cage 184 ing flange 198 formed at the upper end thereof. y Y

A sleeve V200 has a shoulder'202 which is normally positioned as 'shown in Figure 10 vand vis adapted, upon elevationpthereo, to compress the spring V194V and through said spring and cage to raisevthe sun gear V182 and torce it iirmly in :trictional contact with the 'flange 180. 'lhe spring compressed so that a' greater torce may be exerted upon the sun gear 182 when itis de sired to lricti'onally'connect said gear with said flange# The cage 184, washers 192 and 196, together with the sembled'as a unit before insertion in the casing, thus making a construction which may be economically manufactured. rlhe sleeve 200 extends substantially the entire length of the casing 150 and at its lower end has a slot fitting over an eccentric 204 which is formed at the end ot a'shatt 206. rlfhe latter has an operating handle 208 rigidly secured' thereto. A spring pressed ball det-ent 210, adapted to he projected into one of a pair of depressions 212 which are formed diametrically opposite eachother in the vshaiit 206, serve to hold the shaft in adjusted position.V lJlhen in the posiby an inwardly proj ect-` 194 is preferably prespring 194 may be as` tion as shown in FigureV 9 the steadying means may be termed as oil, since the sun gear 182 will he practically tree to rotate with respecttothe flange 180. v Y i llfhen the shaft 206 is rotated through an angle or 180 degrees the eccentric 204 will raise the sleeve 200, thereby compressing the spring 194 and resiliently forcing the sun gear 182 into firm irictional, contact with the tlange 180. rlhe inertia controlled steadying means is thereby rendered operative'so that the shaft y 206 and lever 208 will be termed on when in this position. lhe casing 150 is preferably marked with such designation that the operator may instantly ascertain whether thel steadying mechanism is operatively connected or not. l

A planetary train or gearing is mounted within the casing 150, having the first pinion or the series enmeshed with the sun gear 182 and the last pinion of the series connected to a. ily wheel. f'llhismechanism and gear train is more fully disclosed and claimed in my copending applications, Serial No. 208,220, tiled July 25, 1927, Vand Serial No. 220,493, tiled herewith and is of the general type shown in the patent to lreley, No. 1,177,165, and the patent to Garbutt, No. 1,624,096.V Suihce to say that the gearing comprises a speed increasing train of spur gears andpinions which drive a ily wh cel, and in which the iirst pinion or the series is enmeshed with ythe sun gearV post and also produces a slight f sun gear, thereby setting lthe train of gearsin motion. Thisfmech'ani'sm, ofcourse, tends to retard accelerative and decelerative rotation of'` the housing 150 with respect to the postv I have found it d'esirale to provide means for 'exerting a small constant amount of friction betweenthe casing 150 and the post 138.

` Such means comprises ja packing 214 which war-diy extending boss 222 formed integrally atv , This springl washer s groove 248. Thisgroove has a 'surface 250 against with `the cov-er 152, andy provided with an operating lever 224 rigidly secured at the outer end thereof, Y A spring pressed ball de'- tent 226 is `adapted 'to be pressed into ,suitable concave recess formed inthe lever224 so as to hold said lever in adjusted'position. The end of the screw220 contacts with the plug 148 and is adapted to clamp the latter lin the bore 156. A wide shallow groove 228 is said bore diametrically Lopposite tor the plug 148` I u I rigidly and immovably clamped in said casing cover 152.y p i Y, v A l The pintle 160 has'a short slot 230 formed therein and hasy aspring' disc-shapedwasher 232 confined within a reces`s`284, formed in the side of the. tilt socket member 166, by a washer236 held in position byascrew 238.

takes up any play/resultant 'from wear or other causes and holds the member 166 in light'frictionalcontact with the pintle. A handle'240`liaving a frusto-conical portion v242 isV threaded in the tilt socket memberat 244vfand has an endl cylindrical portion 246itting in a `smooth,

bore in said member. The frusto-'conical portion 242 lies partially within the socket memberV 166 and partially within annular n v truste-conical which the portion 242 is adapted to'contact. From the. above description it will Vbe seenthat when the lian-` dle 240 is rotated vso a's to scr-ew inwardlyinto the socket member 166 Ithe Ifiusto-conical portion 242 thereof will force ,the'socket member '166'to the right vrelative tothe pintle 160, thereby frictionally lockingthe socket lmember'vto the'pintle. l i

vMeans are provided to steady rotative `movement of the socletmeinber 166 about its pintle 160. This Vmeans comprises acasing cover 252 formed integrally'withthe member 166 4and"having 'a casing'254 secured thereto by'rja plurality of screws 256. jA tubular ele- ;'m'ent 258 having an'y outwardlyand sidewardly extending flange 260, which is similar in shapeto the tiange 180,:torrned in the post 148, has a portion 262 iirmlyy pressed into a suitable bore inthe end ot the pintl-e 160 and is prevented from rotation relative to said pintle by a pair of pins 264. The element 258 is rotatably mounted with respect to the `casing 254, a hardened .steel washer 265 being interposed between the flange 260 and the casing 254 to reduceiriction. A train of speed increasing gearing for driving a ily Wheel, similar to that previously described, and similar to that disclosed and claimed in the aforesaid applicationsis mounted within the casing 254 and is adapted to be rendered operative b y manipulation by a lever 266 in a' manner as previously describedv with reterence to the aan stead ing mechanism.

The operation of this device will now be described.

The device is firstleveled approximately by positioning the tripod legs '16,and then more accurately by adjusting the ball 182 inthe head plate 14, through the use of a spirit level 268. ln this operation the handle 240 may be used as a lever in tightening the nut 24 by inserting its Acylindrical end 246 intobne of the radial holes 82. Having thus fixed the post .138 in exact vertical position, the camera may be attached by krotating the screw 88, again using the handle Y240 as a lever if necessary.

yIt it is desired to utilize the tripod in tak? ing 'pictures with the camera stationary, the camera is pointed in the desired direction, using the handle 240 as a guiding lever and the parts clamped Vin adjusted position by turning the handle 240, thus firmly clamping the tilt socket member 166 to pintle 160,

and clamping the casing cover 152 to the post y 138 by manipulationy of lever 224.

If it is desired to take a pan view the tilt socket member lis rotated until' 'the camera lies in the desired plane andthe handle 240 then rotated to clamp the tilt socket member 166 to theV pintle 160. The casing 152 is then released from the post138 by means of the leverv 224 and screw 220, thus permitting free rotation of the camera about the post 138. Y v

If it is desired to utilize the steadying mechanism vin taking pan and tilt views as above described, it isv merely necessary to throw the levers 208 and 266 to their on positions kwhereby said means will'be rendered operative to make it necessary torotate they camera at al practically constant speed. v

If it is desired to take a pan view ina plane other than the horizontal or vertical the tilt socket l66'is conditioned so as to be freely rotatable 160 by` partially ynnscrewing the handle 240, and the lever 224 positioned so that the casing 152 lwill be freely rotatablel about the post ico with respect to the pintle this result due to the fact that ample,

f mechanism Will tend to maintain the vertical component of the rotative movement of the camera constant and since the components of rotative movement are Vthus! maintained, the direction of rotative n'iovement of the camera Will thereby also be maintained.

lf it is desired suddenly to jerk the camera from one position to another With the steadying means operative, tbs may be accomplished by exerting a sudden force upon the guiding handle 240 sufficient to break the frictional contact between the sun gears 182 and the anges 180 and 260. This frictional connection is highly desirable When, for eX- it is desired to photograph an object moving regularly but Which suddenly increases its speed. Y While l have ticular embodiments of my invention, it Will l be apparent to those skilled in the art that thereof may be embodied in other devices Without departure `from the basic conception of my invention. I therefore desire the scope of my invention to be the principles limited only by the claims vvhich follow.

I claim: v 1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a tripodL head plate, a taf pered post rotatable with respect to said plate, means for clamping said post to said plate, a tapered pin secured near the top of said post and perpendicular thereto, a camera supporting member pivotally mounted upon.

said pin and having atapered bore bearing upon a tap-ered portion of said pin, and means toclamp'said member to said pin comprising a handle threaded in said'member and having a frusto-conical portion positioned to engagea. portion of said pin, ivherebyrrotation of said handle in one direction will force said member tovvard the larger end of said pin.

2. ln a device of the class described, the combinationv of a tripod head plate, a tapered 1 post rotatable with respect to said plate,

meansfor clamping-said post to said plate, a tap-ered pin secured near the top, of said post and perpendicular thereto, camera supporting member pivotally mounted upon said Y pin'and having a tapered bore bearing upon a tapered portion'of said pin, and manually operable means movable transversely with the camera may be rotated aboutA shovvn and described par-V respect ber to clamp said member to said pin, said means having'a tapered portionengaging saidpin. Y l

8. ln a device of the class described, the combination of a tapered pin having an annular groove, a camera supporting member pivoted vupon said pin, a handle threaded in saidmember and extending transverselyto said pin and `lying partially in the groove thereofand adapted to engage the sides thereof, conical portionon saidliandle adapted upon rotation thereof in one direction to force. said member inthe direction ofthe outward taper to said pin and guided in said mempin and having abore substantially conforming to the shape of saidand a frustoV of saidpin, whereby said member maybeV firmly clamped against'rotation on said pin by increasing the friction therebetween.

ln a device Vof the class described, the combination of a tapered pin havingan annular groove with a frusto-conical 'surface substantially perpendicular to the vtapered surface of said pin, a camera .supporting member pivoted upon said pin and having abore substantially conforming to the shape of said pin, a handle for pivoting the handle supporting member about/said pin, saidV handle being threaded in said member and `extending transversely to said pin and klying partially in the groove thereof, and a frusto-v conical portion on said handle adapted upon rotation thereof to cooperate vvith' said frusto-V conical surface of said, groove and thereby force said member in thedirection of the outvvard taper of said pin, whereby said member may be` firmly clamped against rotation on saidpin. Y,

5. ln a device of theclass described, the combination of a pin having its tvvo end portions tapered in the same direction, and adapted to be supported at its center, aryolreshaped camerasupporting member pivotally mounted on said pin and having tapered bores bearing upon the taper-ed portions of said pin, and means for rigidly clamping. said member to said pin comprising a handle have ing a frusto-conical portion adapted to contact with said pin, guided. by said member,

means to clamp said casing to said post, a tapered pin secured to said casing and extend-V ing perpendicular to the airis of said post,.a camera supporting member pivotally lmounted upon saidpin andV having a bore complemental to the taper of .said pin, means for rigidlyV clampingV said member to saidpin,

a casing rigid with said (member, inertia controlled steadying means in said casings opermovement of said member relative to said iss ,ative to retard accelerative and decelerative Lese-e post, and mea-ns to render said steadying means inoperative.

7. In a device oi' the class described, the combination of a universally mounted post adapted to be clamped in a vertical position, a casing rotatably supported by said post, means to clamp said casing to said post, a tapered pin secured to said casing and extending perpendicular to the axis ofsaid post, a. camera supporting member pivotally mounted upon said pin and having a bore complemental to said tapered pin, means for rigidly clamping casing rigid With said member, and inertia governed acceleration and deceleration retarding means in said casings, one'or" said retarding means being operative to govern rotation of said member about a vertical axis,

and the other of said ietarding means being o erative to O'overn rotation of said member about a horizontal axis.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination of a vertical post, a casing rotatably supported by said post, a tapered pin secured to said casing and extendingperpendicular to the axis of said post, a camera supporting member pivotally mounted upon said pin and having a tapered bore for cooperation with said tapered pin, a casing rigid with 'said member, inertia controlled steadying means in said casings operative to retard accelerative and decelerative movement of said member relative to said post, and means to render said retarding means inoperative.

9. In a device of the class described, the combination of a vertical post, a casing rotatably supported by said post, a tapered pin secured to said casing and extending perpendicular to the axis of said post, a camera supporting member pivotally mounted upon said pin, said member having a tapered bore to receive said tapered pin a casing rigid With said member, and an inertia controlled steadying means in each oi said ca'sings operative to retard accelerative and decelerative movement of said member relative to said post.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination of a. vertical post, a casing rotatably supported by said post, a tapered pin secured to said casing and extending perpendicular to the axis of said post, a camera supporting member pivotally mounted upon said pin, said member having a tapered bore to receive said tapered pin, a casing rigid vvith said member, inertia governed acceleration and deceleration retarding means in said casings, and mechanical connections to render one of said retarding means operative to govern rotation of said member about a vertical axis and the other of said retarding means operative to govern rotation of said member about a horizontal axis. Y

11. In a device of the class described, a

- ly and downwardly said member to said pin, ar

relatively stationary post having an outwardextending flange, a c-asing rotatable upon said post, speed increasing gearing in said casing, a central gear normally rotatable With respect to Y n said iiange-V and meshing with said gearing, and: means Vfor frictionallyv connecting' said gear to said'- iiange comprising a'y rotatably and axially mounted sleeve, resilient means betvveen said sleeve and said gear, to force said sleeve against said resilient means.

12. In a tripod head, a stationary member, an inertia steadying means, gear train for driving said means upon rotation `ofsaid camera, and means for frictionally holding one of the gearsof said'train' A a reciprocable elev ment, a cage engaging saidl gear, and a nor-l stationary comprising inally ycompressedv spring confined Within said cage having one end adapted to be er1- gaged by said element vvhereby when said!` sleeve is moved upwardly it will force said gear into frictional engagement With said member to render said steadying-A means operative.

13. In al devicefof the class hollovved head plate, balladaptedto be iixedly clamped thereto, a tapered post rotatable ina tapered bore in said ball, means for'exerting a constant frictional force tending said post in said ball, and means for clamping said post to said ball. l

14. In a device of the class described, the

- combination of a tapered vertical post, a pin rigidly secured at its center to the top of said post and at right angles thereto, said pin having tapered portions on the opposite sides of said post, and a yoke shaped camera supporting member pivotally mounted on said pin and bearing upon and complementalto the tapered portions thereof.

15. combination of a tapered vertical post normally rotatable about its axis, a pin secured to said post and passing transversely therethrough, and a camera supporting member having a smooth bore bearing upon said pin,

the bearing surfaces of said post and pin having longitudinal grooves cut therein.

16. In a device of the class described,` the combination oi'` a normally stationary horizontal pin, a camera supporting member pivotally mounted on said pin, a casing carried by said member, inertia controlledk steadying mechanism including' mounted Within said casing, said comprising a sun gear, a tapered clutch inember held against rotation With respect to said pin but capable of limited longitudinal movement relative thereto, friction reducing means between said clutch member and said camera supporting member, and manually operable means for forcing the sun gear of and manipulative means a planetary described, 'ai a universally movable to prevent rotation of In a device of the class described, the` planetary gearing y gearing y face,

socket portion said planetary gearing into rictional engagement with said clutch member. y

17. AIn a device of the class described7 the combination of a relatively stationary ver-V tical post, a camera-carrying casing rotatably mounted onv said post, means comprising frictional packing Vbetween and said post for exerting a rictional drag tending to prevent free rotation of said casing relative to said post and means to adjust the pressure of said packing to vary the amount Y of rictional drag.

18. In a device of the class described, the Y combination of a. normally stationary vertical post having a conical upper end sura casing member adapted to rotate with respect to said post, and having' a cylindrical itting overv post, a hardened peripherally downwardly ianged disk positioned between the end of said post and internal edge of said iange in contact with the conical end surface of said post, whereby said casing is maintained in axial alignment with said post and serves as an end bearing therefor, and means for exerting pressure on the side of said post to clamp the latter to said casing. Y

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this day of September', 1927.

soY

the said casing the end orsaid p said socket member with theV OSCAR U. ZERK. 

